Crabbing with Uncle Ralph

No matter what is going on in the world, I always know where I was or where I will be on the last Saturday in June - my family reunion. My Uncle Richie and Aunt Kathy have a house on Samish Island and every year they host the reunion. I grew up in North Dakota and I can remember sitting in the backseat for what felt like years on the drive to Washington State. When we finally arrived, it was always the same welcome. Kisses and hugs from all the aunts, and crabbing with Uncle Ralph. Uncle Ralph was the most incredible man I've ever met. He grew up in a tiny farming town in North Dakota, served in the Navy, and eventually settled with his wife on Whidbey Island. I could write books about my Uncle Ralph but the reason I bring him up now is because Uncle Ralph loved to go crabbing. And at every family reunion we'd all go crabbing in the morning and enjoy them in the afternoon. My uncle passed in 2007 but the tradition survives. Now his son Larry tends to the crab pots, but he's also added his own flavor (so to speak). Larry loves to go shrimping so now we have pots of fresh shrimp and crab to enjoy with the family. As the family grows each year and the children get older, it's fun to relive my memories of crabbing with Uncle Ralph with the young cousins. I look forward to taking my boys out early in the morning and teaching them the importance of avoiding the game warden *wink*

Commuting is a Community

Commuting is a community. The interactions between the members of this community are complicated and yet incredibly simple at the same time. Each is trying to get to their destination as quickly and safely as possible. This shared interest is what holds the group together. Yet, the need to keep traffic moving efficiently complicates the interactions as individual members make decisions such as when to let someone in traffic in front of them. Aggressive driving or road rage can also cause a breakdown in the group's interactions, and it also adds tension which works against community cohesion.

As a driver to commutes to Seattle several times a week, I am part of this community. However, it is not one that I want to be part of. The drive is long, frustrating, and costs a lot of money in gas and engine maintenance. I suspect there are a lot of other members of this community that would agree with me.

Test Post

Can't write much. My 2 year old pooped himself, my 5 month old is crying, and my pregnant wife is nagging.